2022 White Marlin Invitational Recap

More than $500,000 in prize money was paid out following the recent White Marlin Invitational sponsored by the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club.

The big money winner was Crisdel, which came away $117,876 richer. Code Blu came in second with $57,783, while Big Oil finished in third and won $45,888. The fourth- and fifth-place finishers, Irish Twin and Lovin’ Life, brought home $31,095 and $27, 315. Crisdel also had the distinction of pulling in the heaviest tuna, a 194.3-pound whopper. “It was a lot better than last year,” said David Wittenborn, tournament chair. “We had 53 boats, and the prize money given out was the largest by far.”
Wittenborn said Code Blu finished with the most total points, 900, outdistancing Big Oil, which had 600.

“Code Blu won based on the number of marlin caught and then released back into the ocean,” he said. Last year, the tournament took on a whole new look with the weigh station moved from the group’s clubhouse on Pennsylvania Avenue to Dock Road. That continued this year and is expected to be a fixture for years to come.

“The public parking lot area at the end of Dock Road is arguably the best piece of property anywhere on the East Coast to host a big game fishing tournament,” Wittenborn said. He said the change enabled the club to add a street fair element it called “Marlinfest,” which featured vendors and live music. He had said this festive atmosphere with local vendors and restaurants in such a high-profile location resulted in gaining sponsorships, helping increase the purse size and drawing more participation. “It is our intention to make this event something the whole Beach Haven community can be proud of,” he said. —E.E.